Fluid infusion delivery system

• US 5,059,174 A
• Filed: 08/23/1990
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vincent L. Vaillancourt
• Original Assignee: Vincent L. Vaillancourt
• Inventors: Vaillancourt, Vincent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US07/572,696
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 604/82, 604/131, 604/134, 604/135, 604/154, 604/151, 128/DIG. 12
• US Class Current: 604/82
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1404 Keep vein-open rate [KVO], i.e. low flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion

Abstract

The pump of the infusion delivery system delivers fluid at a positive pressure. A restrictor is provided in the line to the IV catheter in order to maintain a flow rate at the catheter outlet in a range of from 0.1 to 5 milliliters per hour. The small amount of fluid infused is sufficient to maintain the vein open without backup of blood.

Claims

1. A fluid infusion delivery system comprising

an IV catheter including a hub having an inlet port at one end and a hollow catheter attached to said hub and in communication with said port, said catheter being sized for placement into the vein;

a fluid line extending from said hub and being in communication with said inlet port to deliver fluid thereto;

a pump connected to said fluid line for continuously delivering fluid into said line under a continuous positive pressure;

a restrictor in said line for producing a low flow rate in a range of from 0.1 to 5 milliliters per hour at a distal end of said line; and

a Y-site connector in said line having one inlet branch connected to said pump for receiving fluid therefrom, a second inlet branch for intermittently receiving a drug and an outlet branch communicating with said hub.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said restrictor is a capillary glass tube.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said capillary glass tube has an inside diameter in the range of 0.0016 inches.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure is in a range of from 1 to 15 psi.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said restrictor is disposed between said line and said hub.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow rate is in the range of from 0.1 to 1 milliliter per hour.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1 which further includes a check valve dividing said second inlet branch into a first chamber for receiving a drug and a second chamber in communication with said hub and a rubber septum on said inlet branch for sealing said first chamber, said septum being sized to permit piercing of a syringe needle therethrough for infusion of a drug into said first chamber under a pressure sufficient to pass through said check valve.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said restrictor is disposed downstream of said Y-site connector.

9. A fluid delivery apparatus for a fluid infusion delivery system comprising

a fluid delivery line;

a pump for delivering fluid under a positive fluid pressure into said delivery line;

a Y-site connector in said line having one inlet branch connected to said pump for receiving fluid therefrom, an outlet branch for conveying fluid into said line receiving a drug for infusion into said line; and

a restrictor in said delivery line for producing a continuous low flow rate of from 0.1 to 5 milliliters per hour at a distal end of said delivery line under said positive fluid pressure.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said flow rate is in the range of from 0.1 to 1 milliliter per hour.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said restrictor is a capillary glass tube.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said fluid pressure is in a range of from 1 to 15 psi.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pump is sized for portability with an ambulatory patient.

14. A method of infusing fluid into a vein comprising the steps of

placing an IV catheter in the vein;

attaching a fluid delivery line to the catheter;

continuously delivering fluid into said line under a positive pressure;

restricting the flow in the line to a flow rate of from 0.1 to 5 milliliters per hour to maintain a positive pressure at the catheter or vein interface; and

intermittently delivering a drug into said line for infusion into the vein.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said flow rate is from 0.1 to 1 milliliters per hour.